So when do you stop looking at/inspecting their privates?

[MamitaM]

I was just reading the thread about the fat pad on the penis and now wonder when do we, as mamas stop looking at and "inspecting" our babies privates? I look at my sons penis daily and will occasionally feel with my hands all his little boy parts to make sure they feel the same and normal and healthy. I actually found a mass that the doctor wants me to see a specialist about in March. Obviously there will be a time that I won't be able to do this anymore b/c he won't want me to and it wouldn't be right anyway. What age is that though?

[whozeyermamma]

Well, FWIW - there are times when I check out DD's genitals and she's 7. Like if she complains that she's itchy or irritated down there  _ I'll give it a quick snoop to see and have, at times, even had her put a little Desatin or A&D on herself.

I'd say that I check out DS's junk every few days or so - I think it's no different than keeping an eye on all their body parts. I'm assuming I'll do the same for him as I do with her. I'd say that I stopped checking her out regularly as soon as she had mastered wiping after the potty - so maybe 4 or so?

It's funny - after DS was born I was feeling like the stitches felt "weird" and didn't want to go to the doctor so I asked my mom - a nurse - to check it out. So maybe you stopping looking at your kid's private parts when they're - what - 40?

[SilverFish]

i was actually just thinking this to myself just the other day!  dd had a messy poop that got all up in her labia which required some serious cleaning and i wondered when it would suddenly not be ok to be doing that. based on what i remember from growing up, i'm guessing it's probably around the time of potty independence, with a few exceptions for soreness or discomfort like the PP mentioned. i guess sometime around age 4? before that, i doubt they would feel uncomfortable with it anyway.

[lifeguard]

Ds is potty trained now (not independently though) & I certainly do not inspect things as much as I did when I was changing a diaper all the time. I bet, like a lot of things, it's a natural progression.

[MamitaM]

Originally Posted by whozeyermamma 

Well, FWIW - there are times when I check out DD's genitals and she's 7. Like if she complains that she's itchy or irritated down there  _ I'll give it a quick snoop to see and have, at times, even had her put a little Desatin or A&D on herself.

I'd say that I check out DS's junk every few days or so - I think it's no different than keeping an eye on all their body parts. I'm assuming I'll do the same for him as I do with her. I'd say that I stopped checking her out regularly as soon as she had mastered wiping after the potty - so maybe 4 or so?

It's funny - after DS was born I was feeling like the stitches felt "weird" and didn't want to go to the doctor so I asked my mom - a nurse - to check it out. So maybe you stopping looking at your kid's private parts when they're - what - 40?

I think I might have to draw the line at about 4! lol I'm glad that both you and your mama felt comfortable with her checking you out though.

[skyewriter]

forever I guess.. my 11yo ds will have me look for questions or worries (puberty?? -only just starting dear, prob 2 yrs before real hair) (not a tick, just some kind of bite...) but I'm really writing to add that they can self seal... my dd started to, ped said girls pre (or post for that matter) menstrual can adhere (he had a girl whose parents thought prego who was sealed up with maybe 5 periods stuck? very freaky!) -anyway in my book keeping a friendly eye is part of the 'job'...

[Oliver's Mama]

I think hands-on inspecting stops when I no longer need to be thoroughly wiping from poopy diapers, because really, it's stray poop pieces that seems to be the root of any problems we've ever had down there; so by 1.5 or 2.  For eye-inspecting, I say when they're ready to bathe privately. I don't know when that'll be. I think I was eight. When I bathe my boys, I always do a once-over of all body parts to keep tabs on rashes, booboos, etc, however my 3 year old has the task of washing his privates while I still help with the rest of the body as needed.